Purushottam Mas Katha: Adhyaya 2 | पुरुषोत्तम मास कथा: अध्याय 2

Sutji told the sages about the glory of Purushottam Maas as narrated by Narayan to Narad. This month destroys sins and provides salvation through devotion, fasting, and charity towards God.

Sutji said, 'After listening to the supremely virtuous Shrimad Bhagavat, narrated by Lord Shukdev upon being asked by King Parikshit, and after witnessing the king's salvation, I have come here to see the Brahmins who are ready to perform the Yagya, and I am gratified to have seen the Brahmins initiated in the Yagya.

The Rishi said, 'O saint! Abandoning talk of other subjects, tell us, O Sut, the unique subject that you have heard from the mouth of Lord Krishna Dwaipayan by his grace. O great one! Tell us the virtuous story that is more beneficial than nectar, pleasing to the mind, and beyond which there is no essence in the world.'

Sutji said, 'Even though I am born of an anomaly (the mixing of a Kshatriya's offering in a Brahmin's offering), I am blessed that you, the best of men, are asking me. I will tell you what I have heard from the mouth of Lord Vyas to the best of my knowledge.

Once, Narad Muni went to the hermitage of Nar-Narayan. The hermitage was filled with many ascetics, siddhas, and even gods, and adorned with many trees such as Bair, Baheda, Amla, Bel, Mango, Amada, Kaith, Jamun, Kadamba, and many others. The holy Ganga and Alaknanda, which originated from the feet of Lord Vishnu, also flowed there. Narad Muni went to such a place of Nar Narayan and offered his prostrations to that Parabrahma Narayan, whose mind was always engaged in contemplation, who had conquered his senses, conquered the six enemies of lust, anger, etc., whose body was shining with great radiance. Narad, after offering his obeisances to the God of gods, the ascetic Narayan, and joining his hands, began to praise that all-pervading Lord.

Naradji said, O Devdev! O Jagannath! O ocean of mercy, Satpate! You are Satya Vrat, Trisatya, Satya Atma, and Satya Sambhav. O Satyayone! I bow to you. I have come to your refuge. Your penance is for the education of all beings and for the establishment of order. If you do not perform penance, then just as in Kali Yuga, the whole earth drowns from the sin of one, so the whole earth floats from the virtue of one, there is no doubt in this.

'Earlier, in Satyuga etc., if one sinned, everyone became sinful', removing such a situation, in Kaliyuga only the doer is tainted by sins, this is the state of your penance. O Bhagavan! All the beings in Kali are attached to worldly pleasures.

Those whose minds are attached to wife, son, and home, you alone are worthy to consider what is beneficial for such beings and also for my slight welfare. I have come here from Brahmaloka with the desire to hear the same from your mouth. You alone are the benevolent Vishnu, it is established in the Vedas. Therefore, for the benefit of the world, please narrate the essence of the story at this time, by hearing which one attains the fearless state of salvation.'

Hearing these words of Naradji, Lord Rishi burst out laughing with joy and began the virtuous story that purifies the world.

Shrinarayan said, 'O Narad! I am telling the virtuous story of the Lord, who is the bumblebee of the lotus faces of the Gopis, the Lord of the Ras, the ornament of the connoisseurs, the Bihari of Vrindavan, the husband of Vraj, the আদিপুরুষ. Who on this earth can describe the deeds of the one who creates the universe in the blink of an eye? O Narad Muni! You also know the essence of the Lord's character. And you also know that the Lord's character cannot be expressed through words. Yet, I will tell the wonderful Purushottam Mahatmya with reverence. This Purushottam Mahatmya destroys poverty and widowhood, bestows fame, and gives good sons and salvation, therefore it should be practiced soon.'

Narad said, 'O Muni! Who is this deity named Purushottam? What is his greatness? This seems somewhat strange, so please tell me in detail.'

Sutji said, 'Hearing the words of Shri Narad, Narayan meditated well on Purushottam for a moment and then spoke.'

Shrinarayan said, 'The name 'Purushottam' that has been given to this month is also for a reason. The lord of Purushottam Maas is the compassionate Purushottam himself, that is why the sages call it Purushottamas. Lord Purushottam is pleased by observing the fast of Purushottam Maas.'

Naradji said, 'I have heard that the months of Chaitra etc. are associated with their respective presiding deities, but I have not heard of a month named Purushottam among them. Who is Purushottam Maas? And how did Purushottam, the treasure of mercy, become the lord of Purushottam Maas? O treasure of mercy! Please tell me this. O Lord! Tell me the form of this month along with the rules. O Satpate! What to do in this month? How to bathe? What to donate? What are the means of chanting, worship, fasting, etc. in this month? Tell me. Which deity is pleased by the rules of this month? And what fruits do they give? In addition to this, whatever else is the truth, O ascetic! Tell me. Saints are compassionate to the poor, they give good advice without being asked.'

On this earth, those who follow the fate of others, are afflicted by poverty, are always sick, desire sons, are dull, mute, outwardly show themselves to be very religious, are devoid of knowledge, wear dirty clothes, are atheists, go to other women, are lowly, decrepit, do menial work, whose hopes have been destroyed, whose resolutions have been broken, whose elements have become weak, are ugly, sick, leprous, have crooked limbs, are blind, have separation from loved ones, separation from friends, separation from wife, separation from relatives, are without parents, whose limbs have dried up from sorrow and grief, are born without their desired objects.

By performing and listening to which ritual, they will not be born again, O Lord! Tell us such a practice. O Lord! I am saddened to see people suffering from widowhood, infertility, disability, evil diseases, blood disorders, epilepsy, tuberculosis, etc. Therefore, have mercy on me, O Brahman! Tell me in detail the subject that pleases my mind. O Lord! You are omniscient, the abode of all elements.'

Sutji said, hearing these benevolent and sweet words of Narad, Devdev Narayan spoke words as deep as a new cloud to the calm Mahamuni Narad, like the moon.

Thus ends the second chapter of Shri Brihannaradiya Purushottam Maas Mahatmya ॥2॥